Western cyclone., 1887-09-02
LITTLE EMILY"

Ehetic in the innocent, fower-like face,
and the quiet, loving little figure in the
midst of the jostling crowd in the great
depot. There seemed to be no one to
meet her, no one whom she could claim as
protector. As the crowd thinned she
drew herself together and took seat in
the remote corner of the waiting room, to
1ecollect who and where she was. the rush
and roar had so confused her.
The strange courage, born Of all power
full impulse. that had sustained her
through the long, long days journey,
from the out-of- the-way village Of Mill
vile to New York, seemed about to for
sake her. She wished for q few minutes
that she was back to her little room under
the caves, with the sound of the rushing
mill wheel in her ears.
She had walked six miles In the early
morning to take the train, where she could
buy her ticket without being questioned or
recognized. She wondered what the mil
Ter and his wife would say when they
found that she had gone. She felt sorry
that she should cause them uneasiness.
since they had treated her like their own
child, but the slow torture of suspense she
had endured for weeks, longing for Lysle
Bishops return: was eating her life away.
II he could not come to her she must 90
TO him. She knew little more Of him than
did the Saracen maid who sought her
lover through the talismanic words "Gib-
bert" ar London" except that his
rooms were al the Rockland House.
She had been Little Emily to the Mil
Vile people ever since, sixteen years ago,
quiet Ind young woman had sought and
found shelter under the miller's roof, with
the child III her arms. She had slipped
away one morning, leaving pathetic note
begging them to be kind to the child.
Nathan and Rhoda Neale had taken her to
their childlesS hearts, and as she grew to
beauty with a distinctive refinement of
speech ant manner, that seemed her birth
right, they fairly idolized her.
She might have remained years longer.
''the queer. dreamy child" Rhoda called
her, had not Lysle Bishops touch revealed
her to herself. He had not meant to tritle
with the child during the fortnight of
0lumberOuS tdleness he had spent In Mill
vile, but his careless admiring chances,
and Embarrassing words, and graceful
thanks 4JP the "sweet Observances" with
which she tended him, had been fraught
with peculiar meaning to the unfolding
heart. de had restrained himself from
making love to her in direct fashion, but
he had once kissed her tenderly, and lik-
cned her to the lilly maid of Astalot,"
and that kiss had been her doom. He had
also written her one sweet letter, promis.
Ing to revisit Millville before long. for
sight OF his "lily maid, and hoping that
his breakfast bouquets would be as fresh
and fragrant as ever
Emily had treasured the letter, and the
kiss. in the silence of her soul, until her
heart ached for his coming Voices from
the slunAberous depths Of the mill.pond,
from the meadow below the house, and
from the shadowy land where she wan
dered in her dreams, all urged her to 60 to
him She had money OF her own to pay
her fare, and sO-she was there.
She sat now. eating of the seed-cakes
and sandwiches she had brought. She
must inquire the way to the Rockland
House, and yet she felt timid A sudden
0hRme swept over her. It seemed that
everyone who looked at her could read her
secret. She wondered if she should have
courage 70 ask for him. She believed she
should. She fancied his glad smile, and
now he would say. has my lily maid
come to met She shall never leave me
again. Surely he loved her. and it was
the troublesome business of which he had
spoken which kept him from her.
AT length she walkeu out of the depot,
A newsbOy outside, who resembled little
Tim Bates at the Millville grocery. raised
her courage to inquire: #.t
Y The Rockland Housef" .ss ss
) He guessed it was good way along.
Did she want to take the horse cars or the
elevated railroad?
''No. will walk until l find It." Emily
said In sudden fear of some complico-
ton.
She got through the crowd of vocifer.
Gus hackmen by steadily pressing ahead,
though It seemed for few moments as if
some one OF the carriages would swallow
her up
She walked along the avenue for some
distance, without encountering any more
lines, anc again inqired the way to the Rock
land House. But the direction conveyed
no definite idea to her mind. She was like
one IN troubled dream. The sights and
sounds confused her. She took wrong
turns. and tried to read then ames of streets
through tear blinded eyes. Still she was
kept from despair BY the hope of seeing his
lace who was her guiding star
1t was sunset when at last she wandered
INTO an unknown street, where stately
brown stone buildings struck her with 3
Sort Of awe. Lines of carriages. with
proud looking horses. and solemn drivers
on the boxes. were drawn up before .
church. while beyond. tho traas in thu
HaEA lowered cool ana inviting against
the glow Of the sunset, bringing to her
tired heart Renaissance of home.
Emily wondered what ii all meant, AZ
Sne saw the rich tapestry carpetinc
stretched from the street and across the
broad steps 70 the open doors, through
winch Ahe caught glimpses of the scene
inside. With a shy glance or two at the
Glent automatic figures on the boxes, she
stepped up to the door drawn hv the ION
der and fascination Of it all. so Ike tha
creation OF the story writers. She peeped
inside: unseen by the tall. elegant uah~r
near the door with face toward the altaI.
Ens could see the bridal party, could hear
rs murmur OF the voice Of the white.
~ clergyman, while the flashing Of
e lana and 1eWaia In f1.a 80 vlsr-1.e \